Nodirbek Abdusattorov Supports Gukesh: “Self-Imposed Pressure” Behind Recent Struggles

World No. 5 Nodirbek Abdusattorov Backs D. Gukesh to Bounce Back Ahead of Title Defense

Chennai, India – In a surprising twist of fate, reigning world chess champion D. Gukesh has found himself grappling with a significant loss of form since his historic victory. The 19-year-old prodigy, who made headlines in 2024 by becoming the youngest player to win both the FIDE Candidates and the World Championship, is now under scrutiny as he prepares to defend his title later this year.

Despite a stellar 2024, which included a standout performance in India’s historic Chess Olympiad campaign, Gukesh’s recent outings have raised eyebrows. After finishing as runner-up at the prestigious Tata Steel Chess tournament and achieving the remarkable feat of defeating Magnus Carlsen twice in 2025, Gukesh has faced a string of setbacks. His performance at the Grand Swiss saw him suffer three consecutive defeats, and he exited the FIDE World Cup in Goa in the third round. Most recently, he finished 10th out of 14 players at Tata Steel Chess and ended up joint-last at the Prague Masters, where he struggled to secure a win until the final round.

“Self-Imposed Pressure” Cited as Key Factor

In a recent interview on the Chess with Mustreader podcast, world No. 5 Nodirbek Abdusattorov weighed in on Gukesh’s struggles. The Uzbekistani Grandmaster believes that the young champion is facing “self-imposed pressure,” which may be hindering his performance.

“He will come back from his recent form,” Abdusattorov stated confidently. “But I think the problem for Gukesh is self-imposed pressure. He’s asking too much from himself. He thinks he has to win every tournament and show high-quality chess in every match.”

Abdusattorov emphasized that Gukesh’s talent remains unquestionable. “If you look at his performance in the Candidates, in the Olympiad, and other tournaments, he played phenomenal chess,” he added.

A Crucial Period Ahead

As Gukesh gears up for his title defense, the pressure is mounting. The upcoming Candidates tournament in Cyprus, set to begin this Saturday, will determine his challenger for the World Championship. With the stakes higher than ever, fans and analysts alike are eager to see if Gukesh can shake off the recent slump and reclaim his position at the top of the chess world.

The chess community remains hopeful that the young champion will find his footing once again, as he prepares to face the challenges that lie ahead. With the support of fellow players like Abdusattorov, Gukesh may just have the encouragement he needs to rise to the occasion.